Wave, Tide or Ride, Follow the Guide KEY TERMS Catch pool: A landing pool located at the Tide: The regular rise and fall of the level of the bottom of a water slide. ocean that is caused by the pull of the moon and Current: The continuous movement of water. the sun. Dispatcher: The lifeguard at the top of a water Traditional pool: A swimming pool that is slide who is responsible for starting riders at the shaped in an “L” or a rectangle, has a shallow correct time to prevent injuries. end that gradually slopes to a deep end and has Flume: A narrow channel that carries a stream no moving water or special features. of water. Waterfront: A natural water environment, such Free-fall drop slide: A steep slide that appears as an ocean, river, lake or pond. to drop straight down. Speeds can reach about Waterpark: A theme park featuring many types 30 miles per hour or more. The bottom of of water attractions, such as wave pools, water the slide levels off and has a “slowing-down” slides and winding rivers. section. Winding river: A long, narrow, shallow pool Rip current: Powerful currents of water flowing that flows like a river. The current is usually slow away from shore. Rip currents can occur at any and people ride along on rafts or tubes. Usually beach with breaking waves, including the Great designed in a winding path that allows riders Lakes. to go around the river and return to where they Rapids: A section of a river where the water started. moves very fast. Sometimes the water splashes Zero depth: A gradually sloping entry and exit and creates bubbles (whitewater). point. In a waterpark, it is the shallow end of the Run-out: A slow-down section at the end of a wave pool where the water meets the concrete, water slide. allowing people to walk into the pool as they would walk into a lake or the ocean. Surf beaches: Beaches with breaking waves. OBJECTIVES After completing this lesson, students will be able to: zz Describe the features of a waterpark. zz Explain how to stay safe at a waterpark. zz Demonstrate the correct riding position for a water slide. zz Describe the features of a waterfront. zz Name three different types of waterfront. zz Define surf beach. zz Explain how to stay safe at a waterfront. zz Define rip current. zz Understand how to swim in a rip current. ©2014 Lesson Plan 11: Wave, Tide or Ride, Follow the Guide | 1 MATERIALS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES zz Poster: Wave, Tide or Ride, Follow the Guide zz Longfellow’s WHALE Tales video zz DVD player and monitor or computer with Internet access, projector and screen zz Several mats or blankets zz Drawing paper zz Crayons, markers and pencils zz Student Handouts (one for each student): cc Activity Sheet 11-1: Waterpark Smart cc Activity Sheet 11-2: Here Is How You Slide cc Activity Sheet 11-3: Create Your Own Waterpark cc Activity Sheet 11-4: Planning the Perfect Day cc Activity Sheet 11-5: Surf Beach Safety cc Activity Sheet 11-6: Waterpark or Waterfront Leader’s Note Display the poster, Wave, Tide or Ride, Follow the Guide, at the front of the classroom. Begin a discussion about the poster by pointing to each scene and asking students, “What are the people in the scenes doing to stay safe or keep others safe?” Refer to the poster throughout the lesson. As an option, you may use a projector to display the electronic version of the poster. Show the Longfellow’s WHALE Tales video segment, “Wave, Tide or Ride, Follow the Guide,” to support this topic. TOPIC: INTRODUCTION Key Points zz Many people learn to swim at a traditional swimming pool, such as the YMCA or a public pool. zz A traditional swimming pool: cc Is often a rectangle or L shape. cc Has a shallow end that gradually slopes to a deep end. cc Has no moving water. zz There are other great places that can be designated swimming areas, such as waterparks, lakes, rivers and oceans. cc Remember, a designated swimming area is an area that has been checked for safe conditions, such as being free of debris and water quality being acceptable for swimming. cc A designated swimming area is supervised by a lifeguard. zz Before heading out to a swimming area, the best thing anyone can do to stay safe is to learn how to swim. cc The American Red Cross has swimming courses for people of any age and swimming ability. cc To enroll in a swimming course, go to redcross.org and search for swim lessons in your area or check with a local aquatic facility and ask for Red Cross swim lessons. ©2014 Lesson Plan 11: Wave, Tide or Ride, Follow the Guide | 2 zz When you go to a new swimming area, there are some things you should do to be water smart: cc Read and obey all posted signs. The rules are there to keep you safe. cc Never swim alone or in unsupervised places. Remember Longfellow’s rule: Swim as a Pair Near a Lifeguard’s Chair. cc Learn about the features of the attractions or rides at a waterpark. cc Learn about swimming in a waterfront area such as a lake, river or ocean. TOPIC: WHAT IS A WATERPARK? Key Points and Discussion zz Have you ever been to a waterpark? Answer: Allow time for responses. zz What kind of theme did it have? Answer: Responses will vary, but may include the following: cc Tropical island cc Ice mountains cc Pirate island cc Jungle safari zz What types of rides did you go on? Answer: Responses may include the following: cc Winding rivers cc Wave pools cc Various slides cc Spray fountains cc Splash pads zz A waterpark is a theme park that features many types of water attractions, such as wave pools, water slides and winding rivers. zz Waterparks are very different from traditional pools. zz Waterparks can have different types of moving water. Many of the rides copy nature. For example: cc A winding river is a long, narrow shallow pool that flows like a river. The current is usually slow and people ride along on rafts or tubes. cc A wave pool is a pool that has waves similar to ocean waves. cc River rapids are designed to be similar to the part of a river where the current is fast and splashing water creates “white water.” ©2014 Lesson Plan 11: Wave, Tide or Ride, Follow the Guide | 3 TOPIC: BE WATER SMART AT THE WATERPARK Key Points zz Waterpark rides are designed to be fun and exciting. zz Many people who go to a waterpark are there for the first time. They may not know about waterpark rides and attractions. zz Often they are so excited that they do not read the rules and procedures. zz Although ride manufacturers spend many hours developing the safest procedures for the rides, people must do their part to be water smart. They must follow the procedures and rules to remain safe. zz Safety procedures may include: cc The type of clothing worn. cc The correct position to be in. cc How people get on the ride. cc How people exit the ride. cc The amount of time between riders. zz Some safety rules you might see at a waterpark include: cc Remain in the tube at all times on a winding river. cc Get and stay in the proper position when going down a water slide. cc Always enter a wave pool from the zero depth; do not jump in from the side. (Zero depth is the shallow end of the pool where the water meets the concrete. It allows people to walk into the pool the way you walk into the ocean or a lake.) zz Some rides or attractions have height or weight requirements to make sure a person is able to safely use the ride. zz Some rides or attractions require strong swimming skills. If the attraction has a strong current or large waves, this could cause trouble for someone who is not a strong swimmer. TOPIC: WATER SLIDES Key Points zz Popular attractions at waterparks are the water slides. zz A water slide is a large slide that has water running down it and slides into a landing pool, or “catch” pool. cc A free-fall drop slide (also called a speed slide) is a steep slide that appears to drop straight down. Speeds can reach about 30 miles per hour or more. The bottom of the slide levels off and has a “slowing down” section, or run-out, at the end of the ride. cc Some slides have a series of bumps and dips. cc Some slides have curves. zz Another word for water slide is flume, which is a narrow passage that has water flowing through it. zz Let’s talk about rules and procedures for a water slide. zz Lifeguards are positioned in different places on the slide. ©2014 Lesson Plan 11: Wave, Tide or Ride, Follow the Guide | 4 zz The lifeguard at the top is called the dispatcher. He or she: cc Makes sure the rider gets into the slide correctly. cc Makes sure the rider starts down the slide only when it is safe to do so. cc Enforces height and weight restrictions. Height restrictions make sure riders have the body control to ride safely. Weight restrictions make sure riders come down the slide at a safe speed.